Pilgrim Chapel is an exceptional, beautiful, and historic site
for the service to remember and honor your loved one.
This is a place where people of all faiths or none
are welcome, a place of comfort and memorial.
CONDOLENCES in this time of loss.a better understanding
of your needs and desires
and what is appropriate
in planning the service.
Please answer only
what applies.
--Vern
Your responses to these questions will be very helpful, even if they are incomplete at this time.
PART A. CONFIRMATIONS
1. Please confirm the date and time of the memorial service at Pilgrim Chapel.
2. What is the name and age of the deceased?
3. Your name and contact information.
PART B. ABOUT THE DECEASED
5. Has an obituary been prepared and available? If you have not already sent it to me, please know I would appreciate a copy at vern.barnet@gmail.com.
6. What was the religious or spiritual
background, if any, of the deceased?
7. What might be the religious or spiritual
expectations of any family members and friends appropriate for this service?
8.
If appropriate, can you say anything about the death that would be
helpful in understanding how to care for those who grieve and how to
prepare the service? Was the death after a short or long illness or an
accident; at home, while traveling, in a care facility; alone or with
others; knowing whatever circumstances might make the path forward
clearer.
PART C. THE SERVICE
9. Please list any speakers and other participants and their roles -- eulogy, reading, prayer, music, greeter, etc.
10. Will ashes of the deceased be part of the
service?.
11. Will the altar-table or other areas of the Chapel have flowers or other arrangements?
12. Will photos or artifacts be displayed? Is a table for photos or memorabilia needed?
13. Is a slide or
video presentation planned? If so, what equipment (projector, screen, sound
system, lectern, etc) might be needed?
14. Is a printed program planned?
PART D. GUESTS
15. How many family members and friends expected to attend? Please list the names and relationships to the deceased if it is important to name them.
16. Are special seatings desired?
17. Will guests be invited to a reception following the service? If so, please list the time and venue.PART E. PLANNING FORWARD
18. Do you have a preference for appropriate clergy attire -- suit or vestments?
19. How did you come to
select Pilgrim Chapel as the venue for the honor of bringing
folks together to remember this life?
20. Other information, ideas, requests, any questions for the Chapel and for me?
21. When might you be available to plan the service, perhaps using Zoom?
Thank you.
“Vern”
The Reverend Vern Barnet, DMn
Dr Vern Barnet, ordained in 1970, founded CRES in 1982 as a multi-faith resource for Kansas City. For eighteen years, his column, “Faiths and Beliefs,” appeared each Wednesday in The Kansas City Star into retirement. The recipient of many awards for his civic and professional activities, and author and editor of numerous articles, poems, and reviews, and several books, he has taught at area colleges and seminaries.
You can find him on Wikipedia and on the CRES website here.
You can email him at vern.barnet@gmail.com .